Artwork & Antiques

Need to send art?

Eastern Iowa Pak Mail has been offering our services to artists, galleries, museums and auction houses since 1993. We provide personal service to our clients including custom packaging, crating, blanket wrapping and with special care. We know that family heirlooms and works of art are precious and deserve the most attention for the safest delivery. We spare no packing material or technique because we understand what packages endure during the worldwide shipping process.

We have the expertise to package all kinds of artwork, framed or unframed oils, watercolors, pastels, other media, sculpture, ceramics, photography, pottery, needlework, even stained and blown glass. Our selection of protective materials includes bubble wraps, foam wraps, glass mask, low pH wraps, corrugated, fiberboard, hard and soft polyfoam and more. All pieces go in strong corrugated boxes or wood crates. We have in-stock picture boxes for most common artwork sizes, but we are experts in building a custom box or crate to any specifications.

grant wood artwork painting

We packed and shipped this beautiful, original Grant Wood painting.

Our packaging is exceptional for protecting against damage. But in the unlikely event of damage or loss, Eastern Iowa Pak Mail has value coverage available to its customers to cover the verifiable value of the artwork. We have the support of our Pak Mail corporate value coverage in addition to any coverage the shipping service may offer. A few things we ask our customers to do before shipping highly valuable pieces:

  • Keep purchase receipts or appraisals as evidence of value.
  • If there is no evidence indicating current value, seek to have it documented in some fashion such as a documented price for a similar piece by the same artist, a publicized sale price, or an expert’s appraisal.
  • Take several pictures of the item to document its condition.

Need to send antiques?

Eastern Iowa Pak Mail has been handling antiques since the day we opened our doors. We understand their irreplaceable nature. Whether it is delicate Imperial Russian china, a primitive six foot high sign, a carousel horse, or heirloom needlework, we can provide the proper techniques to protect each piece. We have been asked to be the on-site shipper for a Czech Glass Collectors’ national convention, for auctions of special collections including Victorian lights and carnival glass, and for over two decades for the semi-annual Midwest Antique Show. We have worked with antique dealers and collectors not only in Marion and Cedar Rapids but from Amana to Anamosa, from McGregor to Mt. Pleasant and all over the country.

Whether your antique is a new purchase or something that has been in the family for generations, you can be confident when you let Pak Mail pack and ship it.

Providing value coverage for antiques, especially family heirlooms, can be problematic. Coverage underwriters know that heirlooms which are priceless to a family may not hold an equal value to the rest of the world. Values of any antiques or collectibles can fluctuate significantly over time. Therefore, it is equally important that our clients have:

  • a purchase receipt less than a year old from a retail business, dealer, estate sale, or other reputable source.
    or
  • an appraisal that is less than a year old from a disinterested, third party expert/appraiser.

AAAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++++ Made me feel at ease that allowing them to pack my picture for shipping was the right choice. Will absolutely use them again the next time I need something packed by professionals.

~ Corey Ferguson

I had a awkward sized piece of art that needed to be shipped same day. After trying 3 stores that couldn’t get close to accommodating the size I found pakmail. Over a very short lunch hour they were able to maneuver a box to fit and get me out the door in a timely fashion. Not to mention some of the kindest people to work with! I know where I will be going from now on!!

~ Monica Recker

Dear Chris,  I would like to confirm that the (primitive African) items arrived safely this morning. The boxes and packing of the items were first-rate and we were very pleased with the fine condition arrived in. I really appreciate your valued assistance and the professional service you provided. Please be assured that we would not hesitate to use your services in the future. 

~ Chrystal

Galerie Yann Ferrandin, Paris, France

Pak Mail recently helped me out of a bad shipping spot. They were extremely professional, responsive and accommodating of my difficult situation. And, most importantly, my customer reported that the very large framed serigraph print was expertly packaged. I can’t say enough good things about Pakmail of Eastern Iowa and all who work there. They have earned a loyal new customer!!

~ Rebecca Rose

Thank you very much for your exceptional help in shipping the grandfather clock from Iowa to Florida. Our clock arrived in outstanding condition as it had been packed with great care before being shipped. My husband and I are extremely pleased with the “above and beyond” care given to our cherished family treasure. We most definitely will be recommending Pak Mail to anyone that is shipping items from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. Thank you so much, Lee It has been a pleasure to work with you.

~ Ione & Chuck Good

Very knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant people.

~ Keely McAfee

Always friendly and able to take care of anything, plus they take DHL packages which is better than having to go near the airport.

~ Grayson Burgess

The Most Comprehensive Packing & Shipping Business

Customer Service is a Reality, Not a Slogan.

319-373-5595

FAX: 319-373-5795

5249 North Park Place NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402